Golden Days at Stafford

The 34th Carole Nash Classic MotorCycle Show takes place on the weekend of April 26-27 at Staffordshire County Showground, and racing legend John Surtees will be there as guest of honour five decades after becoming the first man to win world championships on two and four wheels following his fantastic tussle with Graham Hill for the 1964 F1 title.

Surtees will take along his Ferrari 158 car, plus his championship winning MV Agusta and Norton F Model, while there will be more fantastic machinery to see, including a Moto Major – an Italian made motorcycle never before seen in the UK.

The Bonhams auction is always a highlight of ‘Spring Stafford’ and this time includes a 1939 Brough Superior SS100 motorcycle once owned by the designer himself. First registered on May 24, 1939 by George Brough, the SS100 was put through its paces taking part in the London to Edinburgh endurance run two days later. The current owner’s father has stored the motorcycle since 1967, using it sporadically since then, and it has been maintained to a high standard. The Brough Superior has an estimated sale value of £140,000-180,000.

Among the other treasures up for auction over the weekend are a 1975 Bimota 970cc HB1 and a 1929 Scott 596cc racing motorcycle.

The two day event will have something for everyone with an interest in motorcycles, including some superb private entry and classic club bikes, along with hundreds of trade stands, an extensive autojumble, The National Motorcycle Museum plus live entertainment in the form of the Wall of Death, Classic Racer Grand Prix Paddock and Classic Dirt Bike Experience.

But for many, it’s the appearance of Surtees which takes it into the premier league of events, especially as he celebrates two landmarks this year – the golden anniversary of his F1 title, and his own 80th birthday. He’ll be sharing stories from his fantastic career on and off the track, and also promoting a new photographic memoir which will be launched in June – the proceeds of which will go to the Henry Surtees Foundation.

Show organiser Nick Mowbray said: “John Surtees is a hero of so many classic and modern motorcycle enthusiasts; what he achieved is truly remarkable. He is a star name… and not just in motorsport.

“No other man will ever repeat what he has, and this will be a fantastic chance to come and see John in the flesh.”